Whether bdelloid rotifers can detect and respond to the chemical cues of predators has not been studied, and research on their behaviour is scarce in general. To test for such response, we observed the behaviour of Philodina megalotrocha rotifers in either control or copepod-conditioned water. We then introduced a mechanical disturbance to test if predator odour sensitises rotifers to subsequent cues. We found intensified swimming in P. megalotrocha exposed to Macrocyclops fuscus-conditioned water, i.e. the larger and more predatory of the tested copepods. Such response may be adaptive, depending on the predominant hunting mode of the predator in the particular habitat.

中文翻译：

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bdelloid 轮虫对原生桡足类捕食者的化学信号的弱游泳反应

bdelloid rotifers 是否可以检测和响应捕食者的化学线索尚未得到研究，对其行为的研究通常很少。为了测试这种反应，我们观察了 Philodina megalotrocha 轮虫在对照或桡足类条件下的水中的行为。然后我们引入了机械干扰来测试捕食者的气味是否使轮虫对后续线索敏感。我们发现 P. megalotrocha 在暴露于 Macrocyclops fuscus 条件下的水（即更大且更具掠夺性的被测桡足类动物）中的游泳强度更高。这种反应可能是适应性的，这取决于捕食者在特定栖息地的主要狩猎模式。